Daniel of Moscow facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Daniel of Moscow
Miniature from the Tsarskiy titulyarnik ("Tsar's Book of Titles", 1672)
Prince of Moscow
Reign	1282 – 5 March 1303
Successor	Yuri I
Born	late 1261 Vladimir, Vladimir-Suzdal principality
Died	(1303-03-04)4 March 1303 (aged 41) Moscow, Grand Duchy of Moscow
Burial	Cathedral of the Archangel
Consort	Maria
Issue	Yury of Moscow Aleksandr Boris of Kostroma Afanasy of Novgorod Fedora Ivan I of Moscow
House	Yurievichi Daniilovichi (founder)
Father	Alexander Nevsky
Religion	Russian Orthodox Church

Daniel of Moscow
Fresco in the Cathedral of the Archangel, Moscow
Born	1261 Vladimir
Died	4 March 1303
Venerated in	Russian Orthodox Church
Burial place	Cemetery of Danilov (Russian: Даниловское кладбище)
Patronage	Russian Engineer Troops

Daniel of Moscow (also known as Daniil Aleksandrovich) was a very important prince who lived from 1261 to 1303. He was the youngest son of the famous Alexander Nevsky, a great hero in Russian history. Daniel became the first true ruler of Moscow and was the ancestor of all the future princes and tsars (emperors) of Moscow. His family line is known as the Daniilovichi.

Early Life of Prince Daniel

Daniel was born in late 1261 in Vladimir, an important city in the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. He was the fourth and youngest son of Prince Alexander Nevsky and his second wife, Princess Vassa. He was named after a saint called Daniel the Stylite.

Sadly, Daniel's father, Alexander Nevsky, died when Daniel was only two years old. When his father's lands were divided, Daniel received Moscow. At that time, Moscow was not a very valuable or powerful place. Because he was so young, Daniel ruled with the help of his uncle, Prince Yaroslav of Tver. Daniel became an independent ruler around 1282.

Daniel's Rule in Moscow

Prince Daniel is remembered for making Moscow stronger and more important. He is known for starting Moscow's first monasteries. A monastery is a place where monks live and pray. He founded the Epiphany Monastery and the Danilov Monastery (Saint Daniel Monastery). The Danilov Monastery was built on the right bank of the Moskva River, about 5 miles from the Moscow Kremlin. Its first wooden church was built around 1282.

Daniel also built the first stone church inside the Moscow Kremlin in the 1280s. This church was dedicated to Demetrius of Thessaloniki.

Struggles for Power

Daniel lived in a time when many princes were fighting for control over different lands. He was involved in conflicts with his brothers, Dmitri of Pereslavl and Andrey of Gorodets. They were all trying to gain power over important regions like Vladimir-Suzdal and Nizhny Novgorod.

Powerful Mongol leaders, Nogai Khan and Tokhta, also played a big role in these struggles. They were rulers of the Golden Horde, a large Mongol empire. In the late 1280s, Nogai and Tokhta fought each other. They tried to get the Russian princes to join their side.

Prince Daniel supported his brother Dmitri. However, Tokhta and his allies attacked cities like Vladimir, Moscow, and Tver. This caused a lot of damage to the countryside. After Dmitri died in 1294, the conflict over the Vladimir throne was finally settled in favor of Andrey.

Gaining More Land

After his brother Dmitri died, Daniel formed an alliance with Mikhail of Tver. They worked together against Andrey of Gorodets. The main argument was about who had the right to rule Pereslavl-Zalessky. This was an important city. Daniel and Mikhail argued that it should be inherited by Dmitri's son, Ivan. They won this argument.

Later, the prince of Ryazan, Konstantin, tried to attack Moscow with the help of Mongol forces. Prince Daniel bravely defeated them near Pereslavl.

In 1301, Daniel led his army to Ryazan. He managed to capture the ruler of Ryazan and defeat many Tatars (Mongol warriors). To be released, the Ryazan prince gave Daniel the fortress of Kolomna. This was a very important gain because it meant Daniel now controlled the entire length of the Moskva River. This made Moscow much more powerful.

In 1302, Daniel's nephew, Ivan of Pereslavl, who had no children, gave all his lands to Daniel. This included the valuable city of Pereslavl-Zalessky. These additions greatly increased the size and importance of Moscow.

Daniel's Death and Legacy

Prince Daniel died on March 5, 1303, at the age of 42. He never became the Grand Prince of Vladimir himself. This meant that his son, Yury of Moscow, did not automatically get the right to rule Vladimir.

Before he died, Daniel became a monk. He asked to be buried in the cemetery of the St. Daniel Monastery. This was a common cemetery, and by being buried there, he showed his humility.

Becoming a Saint

Daniel was honored as a saint by the Russian Orthodox Church in 1791. At first, he was only honored locally.

In 1330, the Danilov Monastery was moved to the Kremlin. The old monastery became a regular church, and its cemetery was opened to the public. Because of this, Daniel's grave was lost for a long time. However, on August 30, 1652, many of Daniel's relics (holy remains) were found. They were then placed in a special tomb in the Danilov Monastery to honor him.

Family

Prince Daniel was married to a woman named Maria. They had at least six children:

• Yury of Moscow (1281 – 1325)
• Aleksandr Daniilovich (died 1308)
• Boris Daniilovich, Prince of Kostroma (died 1320)
• Afanasy Daniilovich, Prince of Novgorod (died 1322)
• Fedora Daniilovna, who married Yaroslav Romanovich, Prince of Ryazan (died 1299)
• Ivan I of Moscow (1288 – 1340)

See also

• Family tree of Russian monarchs

Images for kids

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  Miniature from the Tsarskiy titulyarnik ("Tsar's Book of Titles", 1672)

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  Fresco in the Cathedral of the Archangel, Moscow